Gina McCarthy won approval by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today by a 10-to-8 vote. Her nomination to become the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency now moves to a vote by the full Senate.

Gina McCarthy. (EPA)

Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen issued the following statement:

“Gina McCarthy has a long and respected career working in a bipartisan fashion to protect our environment. She has worked at the state level for Republican governors and served as assistant administrator at EPA during the first term of the Obama administration. She is the logical choice for the job.

“During the committee hearing process, McCarthy gracefully answered more than a thousand questions submitted by committee members—the most ever asked of a nominee for EPA administrator.

“Though we may not always agree with her decisions, we look forward to working with Ms. McCarthy to achieve the mandate of the EPA, protecting our air, water, and climate. We are pleased the Republican’s decided to show up and vote today after last week’s boycott. This needs to mark the end of the obstructionism of this well-qualified nominee. Unfortunately, Senator Vitter’s list of demands hints of more political gamesmanship ahead. It is critical that the full Senate move quickly to confirm her so she can get to work.”

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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.